An antenna system includes a controller operatively connected to a first antenna and a second antenna, the controller including a vehicle position input configured and disposed to receive GPS position data identifying a location of a motor vehicle and a vehicle heading input configured and disposed to receive GPS heading data for the motor vehicle. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively employ at least one of the first and second antennas to receive a radio signal based on received location and heading data for the motor vehicle.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An antenna system comprising: a controller operatively connected to a first antenna and a second antenna, each of the first and second antennas being configured to receive at least one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal, the controller including a vehicle position input configured and disposed to receive GPS position data identifying a location of a motor vehicle and a vehicle heading input configured and disposed to receive GPS heading data for the motor vehicle, the controller being configured and disposed to selectively configure at least one of the first and second antennas to receive the one of the FM radio signal and AM radio signal based on received location and heading data for the motor vehicle.
2. The antenna system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller further includes a radio data system (RDS) input, the controller being configured and disposed to selectively employ at least one of the first and second antennas to receive the radio signal based on RDS data received through the RDS input.
3. The antenna system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller further includes a memory having stored therein an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) data look-up table associated with the motor vehicle, the controller being configured and disposed to selectively employ at least one of the first and second antennas to receive the radio signal based on the EMC data for the motor vehicle.
4. A motor vehicle comprising: a radio; a first antenna operatively connected to the radio; a second antenna operatively connected to the radio; and a controller operatively connected to the first antenna and the second antenna, each of the first and second antennas being configured to receive at least one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal, the controller including a vehicle position input configured and disposed to receive GPS position data identifying a location of a motor vehicle and a vehicle heading input configured and disposed to receive GPS heading data for the motor vehicle, the controller being configured and disposed to selectively configure at least one of the first and second antennas to receive the one of the FM radio signal and AM radio signal based on received location and heading data for the motor vehicle.
5. The motor vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the controller further includes a radio data system (RDS) input, the controller being configured and disposed to selectively employ at least one of the first and second antennas to receive the radio signal based on RDS data received through the RDS input.
6. The motor vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the controller further includes a memory having stored therein an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) data look-up table associated with the motor vehicle, the controller being configured and disposed to selectively employ at least one of the first and second antennas to receive the radio signal based on the EMC data for the motor vehicle.
7. A method of receiving radio signals comprising: receiving a position of a motor vehicle through a global positioning system (GPS) unit; determining a direction of travel of the motor vehicle through the GPS unit; receiving a first one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal at a radio in the motor vehicle; receiving a second one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal at the radio, the second one of the FM radio signal and the AM radio signal causing interference with the first one of the FM radio signal and the AM radio signal; selectively configuring at least one of a plurality of antennas to focus on the first one of the FM radio signal and the AM radio signal and substantially remove the interference from the second one of the FM radio signal and the AM radio signal based on the position and direction of travel of the motor vehicle.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: receiving a radio data system (RDS) signal associated with the first one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal; and selectively configuring the at least one of the plurality of antennas to focus on the first one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal associated with the RDS.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: selectively configuring the at least one of the plurality of antennas to reduce electromagnetic interference.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein selectively configuring the at least one of the plurality of antennas to reduce electromagnetic interference includes receiving electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) data associated with the motor vehicle.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein selectively configuring the at least one of a plurality of antennas includes configuring multiple antennas of the plurality of antennas.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein selectively configuring the at least one of the plurality of antennas includes formulating an antenna algorithm to enhance reception of the desired radio signal.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein receiving the first one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal includes receiving a first radio signal having a first signal strength and receiving the second one of the FM radio signal and the AM radio signal includes receiving a second radio signal having a second strength, the second strength being greater than the first strength.
14. The method of claim 7 , wherein selectively configuring the at least one of the plurality of antennas includes identifying a broadcast location of the first one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein identifying a broadcast location of the first one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal includes retrieving broadcast tower location data from a look up table stored in a memory.
16. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: designating the first one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal as a desired radio signal.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein designating the first one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal includes identifying a radio signal prior to the interference.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein designating the first one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal includes receiving a radio pre-set input.
19. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: selectively re-configuring at least one of a plurality of antennas to focus on the first one of an FM radio signal and an AM radio signal as the motor vehicle travels from the position along the direction of travel.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
August 16, 2013
September 29, 2015
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.